John Altoon
Encyclopedia
John Altoon an American artist
, was born in Los Angeles
, California
to immigrant Armenian parents. From 1947–1949 he attended the Otis Art Institute, from 1947 to 1950 he also attended the Art Center College of Design
in Los Angeles, and in 1950 the Chouinard Art Institute
. Altoon was a prominent figure in the LA art scene in the 1950s and 1960s. An exhibition of his work was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
, in 1997, curated by Hugh M. Davies and Andrea Hales.
although he is best known for his figurative works of the 1960s, with as Leah Ollman describes "a vocabulary of vaguely figurative, botanical and biological forms that he pursued until his death."
He was part of the "Ferus group" of artists so called for their association to the Ferus Gallery
that operated in Los Angeles in 1957–1966. Some of the other artists included in this group are Edward Kienholz.
"Cool School" doumentary film about Altoon and other Ferus Gallery artists, many Ferus artist say John was the most fun and friendliest of all, every where everyone liked him. He could charm anyone.
, "With his outsized personality and reckless intensity, John Altoon loomed large in the L.A. art scene of the '50s and '60s.
Altoon was diagnosed as schizophrenic in his late 30s and suffered bouts of depression and paranoia —during which he even destroyed some of his work— and even on occasion committing himself to Camarillo State Hospital. He was "possessed by real demons," Larry Bell
remembers.
Irving Blum, partner in the legendary Ferus Gallery
, recalls: "If the gallery was closest in spirit to a single person, that person was John Altoon--dearly loved, defiant, romantic, highly ambitious--and slightly mad." Altoon's struggle with mental illness, his big, dark, robust personality and his early death from a heart attack at 43 have, even more than his art itself, come to define his legacy."
Visual arts of the United States
American art encompasses the history of painting and visual art in the United States. In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, artists primarily painted landscapes and portraits in a realistic style. A parallel development taking shape in rural America was the American craft movement,...
, was born in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to immigrant Armenian parents. From 1947–1949 he attended the Otis Art Institute, from 1947 to 1950 he also attended the Art Center College of Design
Art Center College of Design
Art Center College of Design is a private college located in Pasadena, California, and was cited by BusinessWeek as one of the 60 best design schools in the world. The college’s industrial design program is consistently ranked number one by both DesignIntelligence and U.S...
in Los Angeles, and in 1950 the Chouinard Art Institute
Chouinard Art Institute
The Chouinard Art Institute was a professional art school founded in 1921 in Los Angeles, California, by Nelbert Murphy Chouinard .-Founder:...
. Altoon was a prominent figure in the LA art scene in the 1950s and 1960s. An exhibition of his work was held at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego , in San Diego, California, USA, is an art museum focused on the collection, preservation, exhibition, and interpretation of works of art from 1950 to the present.-History:...
, in 1997, curated by Hugh M. Davies and Andrea Hales.
Work
Altoon's work was related to Abstract expressionismAbstract expressionism
Abstract expressionism was an American post–World War II art movement. It was the first specifically American movement to achieve worldwide influence and put New York City at the center of the western art world, a role formerly filled by Paris...
although he is best known for his figurative works of the 1960s, with as Leah Ollman describes "a vocabulary of vaguely figurative, botanical and biological forms that he pursued until his death."
He was part of the "Ferus group" of artists so called for their association to the Ferus Gallery
Ferus Gallery
The Ferus Gallery was a contemporary art gallery operating from 1957-1966. In 1957 it was located at 736-A North La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, California...
that operated in Los Angeles in 1957–1966. Some of the other artists included in this group are Edward Kienholz.
"Cool School" doumentary film about Altoon and other Ferus Gallery artists, many Ferus artist say John was the most fun and friendliest of all, every where everyone liked him. He could charm anyone.
Mental health
Leah Ollman describes his life an 1999 article in Art in AmericaArt in America
Art in America is an illustrated monthly, international magazine concentrating on the contemporary art world, including profiles of artists and genres, updates about art movements, show reviews and event schedules. It is designed for collectors, artists, dealers, art professionals and other...
, "With his outsized personality and reckless intensity, John Altoon loomed large in the L.A. art scene of the '50s and '60s.
Altoon was diagnosed as schizophrenic in his late 30s and suffered bouts of depression and paranoia —during which he even destroyed some of his work— and even on occasion committing himself to Camarillo State Hospital. He was "possessed by real demons," Larry Bell
Larry Bell (artist)
Larry Bell is a contemporary American artist and sculptor. He lives and works in Taos, New Mexico, and maintains a studio in Venice, California. From 1957 to 1959 he studied at the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles as a student of Robert Irwin, Richards Ruben, Robert Chuey, and Emerson Woelfer...
remembers.
Irving Blum, partner in the legendary Ferus Gallery
Ferus Gallery
The Ferus Gallery was a contemporary art gallery operating from 1957-1966. In 1957 it was located at 736-A North La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, California...
, recalls: "If the gallery was closest in spirit to a single person, that person was John Altoon--dearly loved, defiant, romantic, highly ambitious--and slightly mad." Altoon's struggle with mental illness, his big, dark, robust personality and his early death from a heart attack at 43 have, even more than his art itself, come to define his legacy."
Family
Altoon was survived by his younger sister Carmen Altoon, who later changed her name to Mary Shodall, his nephew, Jerry Shodall, and his niece, Laura Shodall.External links
- Ollman Art in America
- Altoon at Artnet
- Altoon at AskArt
- http://www.beatmuseum.org/altoon/johnaltoon.html
- John Altoon art work and papers, (ca.1940-1969) from the Smithsonian Archives of American ArtArchives of American ArtThe Archives of American Art is the largest collection of primary resources documenting the history of the visual arts in the United States. More than 16 million items of original material are housed in the Archives' research centers in Washington, D.C...
.